Blyth Spartans 2 Radcliffe Borough 1

It looked as if UniBond First (North) bottom club Radcliffe had done enough to warrant a replay on Tuesday night when a late injury time winner from Chris McCabe to fire the Blue Square North outfit into Mondays 3rd Qualifying round draw.

The home side dominated the opening half an hour, when only after 5 mintues Liam Gidlea got onto a through pass from Graham Fenton. With only goalkeeper Danny Holland to beat saw the keeper smother his shot.

Michael Hedley was the provider the next Spartans chance, when he played a well weighted ball over the Boro defence into the running Fenton - with defender Tony Whealing clearing off the line after keeper Holland had committed himself.

Spartans had another one on one with Alex Gildea beaten the offside trap only to see Holland again equal to the home sides effort.

On 33 minutes the visitors had great let off when Thompson's free kick rebounded off the top of the cross bar and upright.

But back at the other end Waine should have done better after Michael Oakes had found him unmarked in the penalty but Alex Gilea got a timely challenge in.

Spartans took the lead at the end of the first half from Richard Forster’s spot kick. Another Thompson free kick this time hit low into the penalty area saw the ball hit the hand of Simon Kelly and the referee awarded the home side a penalty kick. Forster converting from 12 yards.

At the start of the second half Liam Gildea again had a great chance to increase the Spartans lead, but goalkeeper Holland was equal to his effort.

However the visitors got back into the match on 57 minutes when Steve Howson seeing that keeper Adam Bartlett had strayed off his line, chipped the Blyth keeper from 30 yards.

Then with most supporters expecting a replay McCabe snatched Spartans late winner.

Hedley finding Scott Bell down the left channel, and with Hedley continuing his run into the near post, he got on to Bell’s centre to get a first time effort away on goal, Holland could only manage to parry straight into the path of the onrunning McCabe who greatfully tapped in from 6 yards

Spartans: 1 Adam Bartlett, 2 Gareth Williams, 3 Kenny Boyle, 4 Michael Hedley, 5 Richard Forster, 6 Andrew Leeson, 7 Graham Fenton, 8 Chris McCabe, 9 Liam Gildea, 10 Andrew Thompson, 11 Alex Gildea.
Subs not used: - Scott Bell, Ben Christensen, Christian Graham, Peter Snowdon and Chris Shanks.